Israel has reported expanded use of its long-range unmanned aerial vehicle.

The state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries said five militaries have deployed its UAVs in the NATO stabilization campaign in Afghanistan. Four of the contingents were said to have received the Heron medium-altitude, long-endurance system, with another European military choosing the tactical Searcher-3.

The troops in Afghanistan rely heavily on these UASs, as they provide crucial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information in real-time to commanders and directly to front line soldiers.

IAI, the largest defense contractor in Israel, said Australia, Canada, France and Germany were using or planning to employ Heron. Executives said Canada and France were flying the Herons in Afghanistan while Australia and Germany would begin operations later in 2010.

Heron, with a wing span of 16.6 meters, was designed for strategic missions. The UAV, with an endurance of up to 50 hours, could reach an altitude of 40,000 feet and carry a range of sensors.